Fake Form W-8ben Used In Irs Tax Scams

[Peaches]

Apr22

Fake Form W-8BEN Used in IRS Tax Scams

by Maria Alarcon (Anti-spam Research Engineer)

Scammers are on the hunt for those who were not able to file their tax statements yet. Knowing how busy people are these days, scammers have taken advantage of this and sent out scam mails that will lure their prey into giving them their personal information. They have even taken the initiative to provide their victims the very form that they have to fill out.

These cybercriminals target non-resident aliens in the United States specially since they are the ones who are likely to file a “Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding.” However, the said certificate, FORM W-8BEN, which is attached to the mail, has been altered. There are a number of personal inquiries that are not needed for the real form, for instance, bank account numbers.

TrendMicro for story & screenshots - http://blog.trendmicro.com/fake-form-w-8be...-irs-tax-scams/